Footwear with Interchangeable Components

ABSTRACT

Footwear with interchangeable or removable components comprised of an outsole unit, a midsole unit, a flexible material (also known as an upper unit), and a rigid pin-like device that may be placed inside an opening or series of openings, which are formed through the combination of said midsole unit and said outsole unit. Once assembled, the embodiment forms a unified shoe.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

The present invention relates to footwear, more specifically to interchangeable or removable components for footwear.

BACKGROUND Description of Related Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Issue Date Patentee 8,028,441 2011 Oct. 4 Stefani 6,345,454 2002 Feb. 12 Cotton

Historically, footwear provided an advantage in protecting one's feet against the rigors of everyday life. Now-a-days, people use footwear to protect their feet, in popular fashion, for athletic purposes, and for multiple orthopedic purposes.

Shoemakers and footwear brands commonly construct shoes using age-old techniques in the industry. Typically, such techniques mean footwear is worn until the shoe soles are worn down or the upper is damaged. Both instances result in a person's inability to continue to wear the footwear as intended. Conventional means of construction do not enable a person to replace worn out components or alternate designs at their leisure. In some cases, a shoe repairman or cobbler can replace or repair worn out components; however, cobblers are limited in their ability to repair shoes. Their process is cumbersome, often taking several days for a repair to be completed and returned to the customer.

Thereafter, several types of footwear were designed to allow a person to wear footwear for the aforementioned reasons in such a way that would allow the person to replace components of the footwear. Stefani discloses a complex shoe system which uses a zipper to attach an upper to a shoe sole; however, this method of construction compromises the shoe's integrity when the teeth on the zipper break. This means the wearer can have difficulty or be unable to properly combine the upper and sole. Cotton shows a shoe with a replaceable shoe sole, but when the wearer misstep's or the heel is stepped on, the method of attachment can be unintentionally released.

My own patent describes footwear with replaceable or interchangeable components and is therefore capable of replacing worn out components at the person's leisure, but nevertheless all footwear heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTIONS

In accordance with one embodiment, a shoe comprises a sole unit, a midsole unit, a flexible material (also known as an upper unit), a releasable means for joining said outsole unit and said midsole unit, and a rigid pin-like device.

Advantages

Several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: Each component is removable and may be exchanged or interchanged with a component of similar construction or different aesthetic design or color. This versatility enables a wearer to construct a shoe according to their own unique preferences. Accordingly, interchangeable and removable components are an efficient way to repair worn out uppers and outsoles. An outsole unit and upper unit of the present design are intended for walking, although they may have a plurality of functionalities, including sport, lounge wear, or formal attire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an outsole unit.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a midsole unit.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a rigid pin-like device.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a midsole unit with a upper unit attached.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an outsole unit, a midsole unit(s) with an upper unit(s) attached, and a rigid pin-like device.

FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of an outsole unit, a midsole unit(s), an upper unit(s), and a rigid pin-like device in the first step of the assembly process.

FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view of an outsole unit, a midsole unit(s), an upper unit(s), and a rigid pin-like device in the second step of the assembly process.

FIG. 6C shows a cross-sectional view of an outsole unit, a midsole unit(s), an upper unit(s), and a rigid pin-like device in the third step of the assembly process.

DRAWINGS Reference Numerals

10 Outsole Unit 12 Midsole Unit 14 Flexible Material (Upper Unit) 16 Plug 18 Opening 20 Rigid Pin-like Device 22 Outsole Unit's Support Wall 30 Connecting Means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1-FIG. 5

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an outsole unit (10). The outsole unit (10) of this embodiment may be made of thermoplastic polyurethane (commonly referred to as “TPU”), but other materials are also suitable, such as leathers, plastics, rubbers, etc.

The outsole unit (10) may have one or several support walls, protuberances, or juts (22) extending generally upward. The support walls (22) may be molded to the outsole unit (10), or attached through adhesives, screws, nails, Velcro, etc. The support walls (22) may be comprised of rubbers, plastics, leathers, or other materials known in the arts. The support walls (22) extend along at least a portion of the perimeter of the outsole unit (10). The thickness of the support walls (22) in the illustrated embodiment may be 1 millimeter, but in some embodiments may be thicker or thinner.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. FIG. 2 shows a top view of a plurality of midsole units (12); however, said midsole unit (12) may be a single, unified unit. The midsole unit (12) may be comprised of rubbers, plastics, leathers, fabrics, or various other materials known in the arts. The midsole unit (12) may be shaped to fit inside the outsole unit (10). However, the midsole unit (12) may be of varying shapes and sizes.

In FIG. 1, the outsole unit (10) may have a single or plurality of male plugs (16) with an opening (18) that extends through at least a portion said outsole unit (10) and said plugs (16). In FIG. 2, the midsole unit (12) may have a single or plurality of female plugs (16) that operate in conjunction with the outsole unit's plugs (16) shown in FIG. 1. The plugs (16) act as a releasable means for joining the outsole unit (10) and a midsole unit. The plugs (16) may be molded to the outsole unit (10) or midsole unit (12), so as to be unified or one with said outsole unit (10). However, the plugs (16) may also be attached to the outsole unit (10) or midsole unit (12) by adhesives, screws, nails, Velcro, etc.

The plugs (16) shown in FIG. 1 may be cylindrical, solid, and male in nature. The plugs (16) shown in FIG. 2 may be cylindrical, hollowed out, and female in nature. However, the plugs (16) may be of varying shapes and sizes, including a polygon, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. The male and female plugs may be on either the midsole unit (12) or outsole unit (10).

The outsole unit (10), midsole unit (12), and plugs (16) may have openings (18) that generally align with each other. The openings (18) may have an ovular shape and extend entirely through the outsole unit, midsole unit (12), and plugs (16). However, the openings (18) can be different shapes, such as rectangular, circular, triangular, etc., and extend through only a portion of the outsole unit, midsole unit (12), and plugs (16).

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a rigid pin-like device (20) used to reinforce the combination of the plugs (16) joining the outsole unit (10) and midsole unit (12). The rigid pin-like device (20) may be comprised of rubbers, plastics, leathers, metals, or various other materials known in the arts. The rigid pin-like device (20) may be shaped to fit inside the openings (18) shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and extend across the outsole unit (10) in FIG. 1 and midsole unit (12) in FIG. 2. Once the plugs (16) of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are combined, the rigid pin-like device (20) is inserted into the openings (18) shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Inserting the rigid pin-like device acts as reinforcement to prevent the outsole unit (10) of FIG. 1 and midsole unit (12) of FIG. 2 from detaching.

The rigid pin-like device (20) may be of equal length as the outsole unit (10) and may decrease in height and width across its length so as to help its insertion through the openings shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. For example, the right side of the rigid pin-like device (20) may be 3 millimeters in height and 6 millimeters in width. Accordingly, the left side of the rigid pin-like device (20) may be 2 millimeters in height and 5 millimeters in width. However, the rigid pin-like device (20) may be a uniform size or varying sizes across a plurality of points.

The rigid pin-like device (20) may be of similar shape to the opening (18), refer to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C. Having a similar shape allows the rigid-pin like device (20) to rest securely inside the opening (18).

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the midsole unit (12) with a flexible material, fabric, or upper unit (14) attached. As described previously in FIG. 2, the midsole unit (12) may have a single or plurality of plugs (16) that operate in conjunction with the outsole unit (10), as shown in FIG. 1. The midsole unit's plugs (16) may have openings (18) that generally align with the outsole unit plug's openings (18) shown in FIG. 1. Refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for information on the midsole unit (12), the plugs (16), and the openings (18).

The upper unit (14) may be comprised of a fabric, leather, rubber, plastic, string, or various other flexible materials known in the art. The upper unit (14) may be affixed to a plurality of points on the midsole unit (12) through a connecting means (30). Stitching the upper unit (14) to the midsole unit (12) may be sufficient connecting means (30) to allow the article of footwear to be worn securely. However, the connecting means (30) may be adhesives, nails, screws, tapes, or various other materials known in the arts.

Operation—FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C illustrate the assembly and operation of the embodiment. FIG. 6A depicts the first step of the assembly process. One has the outsole unit (10), the midsole unit (12), and the rigid pin-like device (20) separated. As previously mentioned in FIG. 1, the plugs (16) and support walls (22) may be molded to the outsole unit (10). Accordingly, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 mention that the plugs (16) may be molded to the midsole unit (12). Additionally, these figures show the upper unit (14) may be attached to the midsole unit (12) through a connecting means (30).

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, one places the midsole unit (12) inside the outsole unit (10) so that the lowest points on the midsole unit (12) may be adjacent to the floor of the outsole unit (10). Once the midsole unit (12) is properly placed inside the outsole unit (10), the openings (18) generally align.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, one may insert the rigid pin-like device (20) into its corresponding opening (18). The plugs (16) may act as a source of securely combining the outsole unit (10) to the midsole unit (12). However, the insertion of the rigid pin-like device (20) may reinforce the combination of the outsole unit (10) and midsole unit (12) and represents the completion of the assembly process.

To remove the midsole unit (12) and/or the outsole unit (10), one first removes the rigid pin-like devices (20) completely from the openings (18). One can do this in the embodiment by pushing on the side of the rigid pin-like device (20) opposite of the side in which it was inserted into the outsole unit (10) and midsole unit (12). For example, one inserted the rigid pin-like device (20) into the opening (18) from the right to left side of the midsole unit (12) and outsole unit (10). Then to release the rigid pin-like device (20), one pushes on its left side so that it goes into the opening (18). This action would cause the rigid pin-like device (20) to move from the left to right side of the opening (18), midsole unit (12) and outsole unit (10). This helps push the rigid pin-like device (20) out of the right side of the outsole unit (10). One then pulls the rigid pin-like device (20) completely out of the opening (18) on the right side. One repeats this process until all rigid pin-like devices (20) are completely removed from their corresponding openings (18).

Next, one pulls on the upper unit (14) while pulling the outsole unit (10) in the opposite direction. This action causes a separation of the plugs (16) and releases the outsole unit (10) from the midsole unit (12)

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of footwear provides a more reliable, yet economical device that can be used by persons of almost any age. While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, one embodiment might include the footwear without plugs, whereby the footwear simply uses a rigid pin-like device as a means of joining the outsole unit and midsole unit together. Another embodiment may make use of different reinforcement of the plugs or a variety of colors, shapes, or materials.

Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. An article of footwear with interchangeable components, comprising an outsole unit for providing stability, support, and protection while participating in regular activities, and a midsole unit of one or more pieces adjacent to said outsole unit, and a releasable connecting means for joining said outsole unit and said midsole unit securely, and a flexible material affixed to a plurality of points on said midsole, means for allowing said article of footwear to be securely worn around a foot, whereby a human can remove or replace worn out components or the alter the footwear for aesthetic or comfort purposes.
 2. The article of footwear in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises one or more male or female plugs on said outsole unit and said midsole unit, each of which combines with corresponding male or female plugs for joining said outsole unit and said midsole unit.
 3. The article of footwear in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises one or more male or female plugs on said outsole unit and said midsole unit, each of which combines with corresponding male or female plugs for joining said outsole unit and said midsole unit, wherein said plugs further including an opening and a rigid pin like device, wherein said rigid pin like device may be inserted into said opening for the reinforcement of said plug system.
 4. The article of footwear in claim 1 where one or more protuberances extends generally upwardly along the perimeter of said outsole unit for the prevention of instability within said article of footwear.
 5. The article of footwear in claim 1, farther including a plurality of said outsole units, each of said plurality having a different bottom configuration. 